NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 30: Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks battle for the rebound in the second half at Madison Square Garden on November 30, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Milwaukee Bucks defeated the New York Knicks 109-103. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Mike Budenholzer praises Mitchell Robinson for dominant rebounding performance
In the New York Knicks’ first meeting with the Milwaukee Bucks on Oct. 28, starting center Mitchell Robinson played in only 20 minutes after getting in foul trouble. The Knicks lost by double-digits, 119-108, and got crushed on the glass, but in their matchup a month later, the game came down to the wire.
With Robinson back to his usual self after recovering from a knee sprain that he suffered in early November, the 24-year-old had a career night against the second-best team in the East. In 33 minutes, Mitch recorded 15 points (7-of-9) and 20 rebounds (including a career-high 11 offensive boards), narrowly missing his career-high of 21 rebounds.
The game was tied before Grayson Allen knocked down a three-pointer with 30 seconds left to play, but because of Robinson’s efforts on the glass, New York came close to ruining Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 37-point night.
After the game, Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer gave Mitch a shoutout in his postgame press conference.
Mike Budenholzer praises Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson for his ‘relentless’ rebounding effort
Tom Thibodeau has called Mitchell Robinson the best offensive rebounder in the game, and now, Mike Budenholzer said that the center’s effort on the glass is one of the “better” individual performances that he has seen.
Robinson’s four-year, $60 million contract that he signed in free agency to return to the Knicks is starting to make more sense, isn’t it? Because he was caught up in foul trouble at the beginning of the season and then got injured, some fans were calling for Isaiah Hartenstein to replace Mitch in the starting lineup. However, the career night that Robinson had against the Bucks is proof of why the front office prioritized keeping him in New York.
Not only did he make an impact on the glass, but Robinson did well at executing screens, which is something that he’s struggled to do throughout his five-year career. He may not be able to knock down threes like other centers in today’s NBA, but his performance against one of the top teams in the league and one of the best players in the history of the game was exceptional.
Hopefully, Mitchell Robinson can stay healthy so that Knicks fans can continue to watch the big man excel like he did on Wednesday.
